'Part Of The Return Of Xbox' - Asha Sharma Explains Why FanFest Is Returning To LA This Summer

There wasn't an official one for XGS 2025

by Fraser Gilbert 3 hours ago

'Part Of The Return To Xbox' - Asha Sharma Explains Why FanFest Is Returning This Summer

You've heard of Xbox FanFest, right? This is the name for an official Xbox community program that aims to bring Xbox fans together in various ways, and it's usually highlighted by a special in-person celebration in Los Angeles for the annual Xbox Games Showcase that takes place each June.

Last year though, there wasn't one in June - Xbox fans actually decided to host their own community version to make up for it (there was an official one at Gamescom though). New Xbox boss Asha Sharma says she's "heard clearly" that the in-person Xbox FanFest events are valued by the community, and that's why this latest one is returning to LA for the Xbox Games Showcase 2026.

"In my first month, I heard clearly that our community values Xbox FanFest. As part of the return of Xbox, we made the decision to bring it back to LA to recognize the players who’ve been with us over the years."

The bit that really interests us here is the "return of Xbox" mention, which goes back to what Sharma was saying when first hired as Microsoft Gaming CEO - this whole idea of "returning to our roots" that's made a good impression already:

For the majority of us, the return of Xbox FanFest in June isn't going to mean a whole lot (unless you're based in LA, in which case check out the FanFest Sweepstakes on the Xbox website), but it's certainly intriguing that Sharma has connected it to the idea of "returning" to what the Xbox brand is all about.

It's going to be worth keeping an eye on how it turns out as well. It's mentioned on the Xbox Wire website that FanFest will "include a look back at the last 25 years, alongside a forward view of what’s next", and we're definitely curious to see what the "forward view of what's next" section ends up highlighting.

In the spirit of "returning", we'll leave you with a look back at how huge Xbox FanFest used to be a few years ago!

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know down in the comments section below.

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1
Elbow
3 hours ago

She's saying and doing all the right things so far... cautious optimism continues. I don't think she should be judged either way until she's at least had a year under her belt, so that's a long way off still.

2
Sindayl
3 hours ago

@Elbow Same here. Intriguing 😏

3
Tasuki
2 hours ago

Its obvious what shes doing. She's just doing this stuff to appeal to the fanboys, nothing more then a PR stunt to make her and the her uppers look good.

Its clear now that Phil and the other recently departed executives were the fall guys for the cororporate stooges failed direction of Xbox. Obviously they used it to get the people out that they didnt want and replace them with people.who do what they wanted.

4
Balaam_
2 hours ago

The House of Xbox has been on fire since 2013. Numerous firefighting executives have promised to douse the flames, but the fire rages on. Let’s all wait to see if she extinguishes the inferno before doling out unwarranted praise. Maybe she will, maybe she won’t, but one thing is certain: it will be actions and not empty words that achieve results.

5
GeminiX53
2 hours ago

Asha certainly seems to be concentrating her focus in the right direction.
While I would personally err on the side of being cautious this seemingly new attitude will no doubt rekindle a little optimism amongst the Xbox faithful who, and lets be honest, have had a bit of a rough ride for their loyalty of recent.

Asha has definitely gained some yards for the Xbox brand. Here's hoping she doesn't fumble the ball.

6
Globo
1 hour ago

She is certainly trying to charm the pants of us Xbox people.
Let's see what concrete positive changes she makes before giving her our flower.
Us Xbox gamers are a respectable folk we need to be wined and dined with commitment shown before we put out!

7
GuyinPA75
1 hour ago

At first, I really thought, she's going do ok for Xbox.

Now everything, evvvvvverything, she says screams of forced acceptance through passive deeds (I hear you, I read gamers want this, etc) to point of starting feel forced and no where close to genuine.

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